Dutch Shepherd
Also known as: Dutch Herder Hollandse Herdershond
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Netherlands
- Weight
- 30–40 kg (66–88 lb)
- Height
- 22-24in
- Coat
- Both short-, long-, and rough-haired varieties
- Colour
- Brindle. The basic colour is golden or silver.
- Other names
- Dutch Herder Hollandse Herdershond
FCI
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is an overseeing entity for many international purebred dog breed registries, including the Dutch Kennel Club ( Raad van Beheer ). The FCI itself is not a registry and does not issue pedigrees; instead, the FCI has 90 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issues its own pedigrees and trains its own judges. The 'owner' countries of the breeds write the breed standards that are used as reference for judges at shows held in FCI member countries. [ 9 ] Some member countries have an open studbook by which dogs can be registered based on appearance, and other FCI member countries have closed studbooks. The Dutch studbooks were closed in February 1971. The goal of the FCI is, in part, 'to protect the use, the keeping, and the breeding of purebred dogs in the countries where the FCI has a member or a contract partner'. [ 9 ] The United States is not an FCI member or contract partner. [ 10 ]
intro
The Dutch Shepherd ( Dutch : Hollandse Herder ) is a herding dog of Dutch origin. They were used by shepherds and farmers who needed a versatile dog that made few demands and was able to adapt to a harsh and meager existence.
Colour
Brindle : The basic colour is golden or silver and can vary from a near-white, light sand-colour to chestnut red. A "true silver brindle" is very rare, because having too much white is considered a fault. The brindle is clearly present all over the body, in the ruff, breeches, and tail. Too much black is undesirable. A black mask is preferable. Heavy white markings on the chest or feet are not desirable. [ 2 ]
Health
The Dutch Breed Club initiated a hotline in 2008 for reporting health and behavioral problems. Most genetic health problems occur at a low rate in this breed. Confirmed genetic diseases diagnosed in Dutch Shepherds include allergies (atopy), masticatory myositis , pannus , cryptorchidism and inflammatory bowel disease . Within the rough-haired variety care should be taken to screen for goniodysplasia before breeding. This is a condition where the outflow of fluid from the eye is restricted and under certain circumstances can cause blindness. The link between genetics and goniodysplasia is uncertain. Two dogs who have a risk of goniodysplasia can still have puppies who are not at risk. The Dutch Breed Club regulations requires the testing for GD for rough-hairs. [ 3 ] The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals reports hip dysplasia was present in 9 percent of 705 dogs evaluated from January 1974 to March 2023. Elbow dysplasia was in 5.5 percent of 667 dogs evaluated from January 1974 to March 2023. [ 4 ]
Function
Originally, the main function of the Dutch Shepherd was that of a shepherd's dog in the countryside. From early times, the Dutch had an arable culture that was maintained by flocks of sheep. The dogs had to keep the flock away from the crops, by patrolling the borders of the roads and fields. They accompanied the flocks on their way to the common meadows, markets, and ports. [ 2 ] At the farm, they kept the hens away from the kitchen garden, herded the cows together for milking, and pulled the milk carts. They alerted farmers when strangers entered the farmyard. Around 1900, sheep flocks had mostly disappeared in the Netherlands. The versatile skills of the Dutch Shepherds made them suitable for dog training, which was then starting to become popular. They were then trained and used as police dogs, search and tracking dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. They are still capable of herding sheep. [ 2 ]
Grooming
The short-haired variety needs occasional combing, with the exception during the shedding period in the spring and fall when a daily thorough brushing is needed. The long-haired variety needs to be groomed about once a week, or more frequently depending on work and environment. The rough-hair variety needs to be thoroughly brushed once a week, and twice a year the dead hair will need to be hand stripped. [ 7 ]
Activities
Dutch Shepherds are an active and versatile breed. They compete in dog agility , obedience , rally obedience , flyball , dock jumping , disc dog , tracking , herding, search and rescue , nosework , and weight pulling , along with protection sports such as Schutzhund , French Ring, Belgian Ring, mondioring, PSA, and others. In the Netherlands, they are still employed as herders and this instinct is still strong in the breed. Internationally, the Dutch Shepherd is best known for use in law enforcement under the KNPV program. The Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging (KNPV), or Royal Dutch Policedog Association, was founded in October 1907, as an organization to oversee and test dogs for their suitability for police work. Dutch Shepherds with KNPV titles are sought-after candidates throughout the world for police and military use, as well as sport competitors and personal-protection dogs. The KNPV began a dog registration program in 2014 for KNPV member dogs, making registration mandatory for all dogs born after 1 April 2013. [ 8 ]
Appearance
The Dutch Shepherd on average weigh between 50–70 pounds (23–32 kg) and the height varies between 55 and 63 cm (approximately 22 to 25 inches tall at the withers). Depending on the coat, the breed can be distinguished as short-haired, long-haired, or rough-haired. [ 2 ] Short-haired : All over the body, quite hard, close-fitting, with woolly undercoat. Ruff, breeches and tail plume are clearly visible. Long-haired : All over the body, long, straight, well-fitting, harsh to the touch, without curls or waves and with a woolly undercoat. Distinct ruff and breeches. Tail abundantly coated. Head, ears and feet and also the hind legs below the hocks are short and densely coated. The backsides of the forelegs show a strongly developed coat, shortening in length towards the feet, the so-called feathering. No fringes at the ears. Rough-haired : Dense, harsh tousled coat and a woolly, dense undercoat all over the body except for the head. Upper and lower lip should be well-covered with hair, the whiskers and beard, and two well-defined, coarse rough eyebrows that are distinct but not exaggerated. Furnishings are not soft. The hair on the skull and on the cheeks is less strongly developed. In profile it seems as if the head has a more square appearance. Strongly developed breeches are desirable. Tail is covered all round with hair. The brindle colour may be less pronounced because of the tousled coat. [ 2 ]